By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
Elections in Stafford County are mostly unopposed for the upcoming August 6, 2024 primary, but a three-way race for the Stafford County Sheriff position has merit for investigation.
The Tri-County Tribune asked all three candidates for this top law enforcement position the same five questions, and all three responded as follows. Answers are unaltered. Thank you to Robert Murrow, Tori Perez, and Gary McAlister for participating in this voter information exercise.
Q and A with Stafford County Sheriff candidates:
1. Why are you a good choice to serve as Stafford County Sheriff?
2. What plans for improvement do you plan for the department if elected?
3. What verifiable experience do you have that would be beneficial for this position?
4. What do you think the most important quality a person should have to serve as Stafford County Sheriff?
5. What does the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department do well at this time?
Robert C. Murrow responds:
1. I believe I am a good choice to continue serving Stafford County as their Sheriff. I have been with the Sheriff’s Office in some capacity for over 25 years and have learned from the mistakes and success of those who have served with me in that time. I have made improvements and beneficial changes since becoming Sheriff and would like to continue with the plan of action that I have already began. I have been fortunate enough to have hired a great group of employees and would like nothing more than to continue working with them and our community.
2. To expand on the previous question, we have recently changed to 12 hour shifts to better serve the community by offering 24-hour coverage for the entire county. I have also added a new position in which I am currently taking applications for. It is my hope that the change of hours and additional deputy position will not only assist with county coverage but also alleviate pressure on our department to prevent officer burn out.
3. In my time with Stafford County I have served as a Deputy, Undersheriff and Sheriff. I became a certified tech to enter and seize clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories in Oct of 2001. In May of 2003 I became a certified K-9 deputy trained in detecting cocaine, meth and marijuana. I would like to think that my experience as a community member serving in multiple capacities has been beneficial to my time as Sheriff as it has given me insight into what the community really wants and needs. Some of that experience has been, serving on Macksville City Council for 17 years, the last 12 as Mayor. I was also a firefighter for 27 years during which time I held positions of Assistant Chief, Fire Chief and District Chief.
4. I feel the most important qualities a person should have to serve as Sheriff in Stafford County would be integrity, honesty, and the ability to empathize with the public.
5. To answer this question, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has many good qualities. The quality I am most proud of is our department’s dedication to serving and protecting our community. We continue to make ourselves available to assist with any call to service, whether in the county or assisting another agency. I feel it is also important to add that the Sheriff’s Office is not the only focus of the Sheriff. I am pleased to point out that the other departments we work with are also dedicated to serving and protecting all of Stafford County.
Responses from candidate Tori Perez:
1. In assuming the role of Stafford County Sheriff, I would bring a wealth of skills, education, and unwavering integrity. I am dedicated to fostering a safe and cohesive community through proactive law enforcement and collaborative community engagement. As Sheriff, I would be honored to lead a dedicated team of professionals committed to serving and protecting our community. Together, we will uphold the values of integrity, fairness, and respect as we strive to make Stafford County a model of excellence in law enforcement and community relations. Together, with residents, businesses, and community leaders, I would work tirelessly to ensure Stafford County remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and raise families.
2. Public Safety:
I believe that community policing enhances public safety within the community. Fostering healthy relationships and positive interactions build trust and cooperation between officers and the community. This enhances officer safety and gives community cooperation. I believe that all residents should at least know our officers, if not be familiar with them. It will continue to be a top priority for all Stafford County residents to have the opportunity to meet and get to know our law enforcement.
Integrity & Accountability:
Integrity is a key value that I strive for. This includes transparency for everyone. I will promote fair and impartial policing. I will ensure that all law enforcement officers receive ongoing training for de-escalation, cultural competence, and community relations. I will enhance accountability such as utilizing body worn cameras or regular community forums. If elected Sheriff, I want the community to know that I will not only hold myself accountable but the Sheriff’s Office as a whole.
Crime Prevention:
I fully support crime prevention programs, such as anonymous reporting, youth mentoring, and proactive policing. Providing education to community members on how to protect themselves from crimes is also a big factor in crime prevention. Youth involvement can also help our youth with crime prevention and provide another resource or role models for our youth in the community. If elected Sheriff, another top goal and priority of mine is to create positive relationships with the youth in our community and bring programs back such as D.A.R.E. or implementing a School Resource Officer. We will work in partnership with all schools in the county and WILL have an officer’s presence within. We will not be strangers to our youth!
Above all, I will strive to work alongside and in partnership with other departments and agencies to make Stafford County successful in all aspects.
3. With nearly seven years in law enforcement capacity and a strong background in working with mental health, emergency medical services, and firefighting, my diverse experience uniquely equips me for the responsibilities of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to entering law enforcement, I dedicated six years to mental health, providing invaluable insight into crisis intervention and community support, a perspective that continues to inform my policing approach.
Complementing my practical experience, I am committed to furthering my education. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and leadership studies with a minor in psychology, enhancing my understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. Additionally, I hold a certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership, Policing & Homeland Security, and Criminal Psychology from Fort Hays State University, underscoring my dedication to continuous learning and professional development.
My military service has profoundly shaped my leadership capabilities. As a solider, I draw upon the structured environment and leadership roles I hold in the Army to guide my decision-making and management style. This background, combined with specialized training as a certified School Resource Officer and leadership courses through the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, positions me as a well-rounded leader capable of effectively managing the challenges of the Sheriff’s Office.
4. The most important quality for someone serving as Stafford County Sheriff, or any sheriff for that matter, is integrity. Integrity encompasses transparency, accountability, honesty, ethical behavior, and a strong sense of moral principles. As a sheriff, you’re entrusted with upholding the law and protecting the community. Integrity ensures that citizens can trust you and your deputies to act in their best interests. Sheriff’s offices also set the tone for law enforcement in their jurisdiction. Integrity in leadership promotes fairness, accountability, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. Integrity fosters public confidence in law enforcement. Integrity is crucial for building and maintaining positive relationships with the community. It demonstrates respect for citizens’ rights and concerns. When citizens believe their sheriff operates with integrity, they are more likely to cooperate and support law enforcement efforts. A sheriff with integrity holds themselves and their deputies accountable for their actions. This includes addressing misconduct swiftly and transparently. Integrity guides ethical decision-making, ensuring that decisions are based on what is right rather than personal gain or bias.
5. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is proactively enhancing its emergency response capabilities by transitioning to 12-hour shifts. This initiative ensures round-the-clock coverage throughout the county, allowing deputies to promptly respond to emergencies such as accidents or criminal incidents. By optimizing resource allocation and extending service availability, the sheriff’s office will be enhancing community safety and responsiveness to residents’ needs. I fully support their efforts in implementing this approach. I also believe that it will assist with retention, as deputies will have more time off the clock.
Gary McAlister answers as follows:
1. As a Deputy and Undersheriff for Stafford County, many of you saw me out days, nights, and weekends patrolling the towns and back roads in the county. As Sheriff, I promise you will get the same service from me. You will see me out days, nights, and weekends, protecting and serving this great community we live in.
2. Training: Current Deputies have talked with me about the absence and lack of training they haven’t received leading to difficulty in doing their jobs correctly. As Sheriff, I would make sure officers are getting quality training that benefits the communities of Stafford County.
Relationships: Another major issue for Stafford County is the lack of solid and consistent working relationships between the city police departments and the Sheriff’s Office. This has to change. By working hand in hand with each other, all of our law enforcement agencies can accomplish the same goals more effectively and efficiently. The solidarity of this relationship can show criminals that all of Stafford County’s Law Enforcement agencies will not allow them to set up roots here and poison our community.
3. I started my law enforcement career as a Corrections Officer at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility where I worked for 9 years. In January 2019, I came to work with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in the 258th basic class on November 1st, 2019. I served as a Deputy for Stafford County Sheriff’s Office until December 2020, when I was promoted to Undersheriff where I served until May 2023.
As Undersheriff, I served on the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Justice Board and was part of the Family Crisis Center MDT monthly meetings involving juveniles throughout Stafford County. In addition, I attended monthly KIA (Kansas Intelligence Association) meetings, was a member of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association, and was a member of the KNOA (Kansas Narcotics Officer Association).
4. I believe the willingness to serve the public and consider how your actions and decisions can best serve the people who elected you.
5. At this time, the current deputies complete their job duties to the best of their abilities and training.
